Oh, ow. What in the world was that pain shooting up her back? Her bones ached, her head ached, everything that wasn’t awash with alcohol just throbbed with renewed protest. She followed his instruction. One of her kid’s grandparents had sent some money his way for his birthday, and she still had it on her.

There was a tavern not so far from here.

She pulled, and kept her favorite bar stool in mind.